How do we set up home-school communication that works for everyone?

The short answer

Give communication one defined purpose. Decide which information changes what the adults do, who records it, how often it is exchanged, which channel is used and when the arrangement will be reviewed. A daily message may be appropriate for medication, eating, toileting, safety or a short support trial, but many questions need only a weekly summary or contact when a defined event occurs. Mark the source of information and distinguish observation from explanation. Include the child's view and privacy, especially as they get older. Keep urgent safeguarding, medical and attendance routes separate from the routine communication book or app. Use a neutral format that records access, support and effect, not a daily score of whether the child was good. If the system becomes too burdensome, reduce fields or frequency rather than abandoning the information the plan genuinely needs.

• Decide what question the communication is meant to answer.
• Share only information that changes support, safety or the current review.
• Label whether a point came from the child, family, teacher or another source.
• Use a separate route for urgent, medical, safeguarding or formal matters.
• Avoid making the child carry messages or discover private adult notes unexpectedly.
• Review the communication system itself for workload, usefulness and privacy.